Post by EmperorMyric on Mar 22, 2021 15:30:13 GMT
While Fleet Commander Ling went directly to the planet where the Dectrose fought alongside several other nations against Axiomatic forces, Rear Admiral Domenic Margheriti was instead tasked with scouting out the area nearby, to both act as a Dectrose representative and as a scout, seeking other worlds which may be emitting a signal like that used at the Axiomatic facility, in order to gain both information and possibly equipment, without any other nations interfering.
Though as time passed, he neither found any other axiomatic facilities or any signals leading to such. Margheriti was just about to inform Decoroso Command about the status of the mission, and the failure of such, until his thoughts where interrupted by a faint, almost invisible signal, the Mantis II broke it down into signs of intelligent life on a star system some distance away, and he contacted Decoroso to inform them of such an event, then ordered his small fleet to warp to a location closer so they could investigate further, making sure not to repeat the events of his colleague, Admiral Ryn.
Once in position, he tentatively sent out his own signal on Dectrothian frequencies, hoping to draw the attention of any intelligent races nearby.
The Summer system is busy even on a quite day, as is to be expected of the Summer Courts capital. Ships of the fleet patrol space and countless civilian freighters, some considerably larger than the military ships, keep the Court's economy running. For the better part of the day though the finely tuned clockwork of spaceships coming and going has been disrupted. The orbit around Summer IV, the actual heavily populated capital of the system as well as the Summer Court as a whole, is devoid of all traffic beyond the countless defensive installations orbiting the planet.
Aboard Nodix, the largest orbital installation, Commander Rhys Midhir kept a close look on every ship in the system as the next phase of the orbital defense drill was being prepared. Ever since the last stations of the orbital defense network had come online the resolution of the combined sensors had been downright astonishing. This combined sensor array had been dubbed the Argus Array and even if he wasn't prone to embellishment, it saw everything.
Thus he promptly noticed the gravimetric disruption far out at the edge of the system as it appeared. “Do we expect any visitors?” The query went out to the other two control officers currently managing the defense network with him, but it was the holographic avatar of the queen, whose ship was docked with the Nodix, who answered instead. “No, we don't. Dispatch traffic control assets from one of the bases further out and have them escort our guests to one of the Lunar facilities. Standard first contact protocols. Make sure they aren't accidentally caught up in the defense exercise, but allow them to have a good look.” With that the queen fell silent again and Rhys quickly worked to execute her orders.
Margheriti sat patiently, it was scientific curiosity that had lead to the demise of Ryn, and he was not about to be a statistic in some Dectrothian paper on First Contacts. While he remained still, the sensors on his craft began to pick up signs of activity on a far-off system, and ordered guards to be brought up and enact First Contact protocols, as well as swap their gear for more polished and clean gear, as well as a Hawkbat III to be warmed up just in case.
While doing so, the Comms Officer kept in contact with Decoroso, before an alert went off and the Comms Officer at Decoroso informed him that system-wide interdiction was going up, and Tachyon Communications will be cut, and to switch over to QECs. When the Officer on the ship asked Decoroso why it was going up, they briefly mentioned that the alert was in response to the Anointed Civil War, and Decoroso was putting up interdiction in order to protect the planet until further information is gathered and the infiltration threat from the Anointed could be taken care of.
The Tranquility is a small pilot boat, one of the smallest jump capable vessels built by the summer court and obviously a civilian design. Still captain Thomrair took pride in his command, even if it did not come with a neural interface, like the ships of the navy. He had to make do with a much more rudimentary augmented reality control system, but then, this was all he had ever known. As the message from Nodix came in he became alert in a matter of moments as he scanned through the first few lines of his new orders. Only moments later he had sounded a ship wide alarm. He wouldn't have had to, strictly speaking. He could have shouted just as well to get everyone's attention.
Not much later, but quite some distance away space rippled and a small burst of radiation heralded the arrival of the Tranquility near the visitor. The small ship still kept a respectable distance. It didn't pay to step on some foreigners toes after all. Thomrair cleared his throat and opened the first contact channels suggested in his orders. “This is pilot boat Tranquility. Please prepare to receive navigational charts for the system and a flight plan to the Lunar Facility Mare Nubium. Please note, that the system is currently in a heightened state of alert due to a planetary defense drill being conducted on Summer IV. Unnecessary deviations from the flight plan might cause intervention by naval assets.” With that said, he started transmitting the data in a loop, waiting for an acknowledgment.
The 'Duca d'Nuovo York' picked up the entrance of the Tranquility, and the message came though and was confirmed as being Summer Court frequencies, Margheriti sent a message back to the ship "This is the 'Duca d'Nuovo York', I am Rear Admiral Domenic Margheriti of the Dectrose Empire, we acknowledge the charts and flight plan you are sending our way, we will follow them to the letter." He leaned back, he wasn't expecting to find the Summer Court, but this also opened up new means of diplomacy with a neighbor so close to the Empire.
Not long after receiving the flight plan and navigation charts, he and his ship did as instructed, moving into the path that they suggested he take, to avoid unnecessary conflict.
As the Tranquility approaches the Moon of Summer IV, following the Duca d'Nuovo York at a discreet distance, as they approached the Mare Nubium Facilty the full scale of the defense drill become obvious. Several times they passed still smoldering wrecks of gigantic freighters that had been refitted with powerful shield emitters and powered down weapons. Floating wreckage of smaller drones, the size of fighters, surround them. Further out these wrecks were already being reprocessed. In the space between the Moon and the planet several such target vessels are still adrift though. As a matter of fact one refitted freighter, launching numerous drones, is currently being set upon by fighters launched from Summer IV's surface.
Summer IV itself is a sight to behold. Countless space stations surround the planet and between their overlapping multi layered shields and the planetary shield projectors it looks more like a glittering jewel in space than an actual planet. Then the mass of the moon blocks line of sight and most sensors as the Tranquility and the Duca d'Nuovo York make their final approach to the Mare Nubium Facility. The facility is, at a first glance, a combination of a space station and extensive surface installations, connected by an orbital elevator.
Currently only one large ship is docked at the space station and sensor readings suggest that it probably arrived not long ago. Its drives are still cooling down. Transponders identify the ship as the Artio. A message is sent, using the same frequencies as before. “Duca d'Nuovo York, you are cleared for docking at bay three.” A small data package follows this declaration, containing a basic layout of the station with the essentials highlighted and a schedule for a meeting. It seems there will be barely enough time to get to the conference room without having to hurry all too much.
Passing by the defense drill, and seeing the carnage of such a practice, Margheriti felt uneasy for a moment, but that hesitation was soon replaced by pride, and an idea that may just help him and the relations between the Summer Court and Dectrose Empire greatly. While the helmsman directed the ship towards Summer IV, taking in it's glorious sight, he contacted Lupus Command, then Decoroso Command, about the possibility of further diplomatic ventures, and was accepted.
Now heading on their approach vector to the Mare Nubium Facility, Margheriti looked upon the wonderful gems and shapes that the Court's ships and architecture, such beauty and grace was not lost on him, as the Artio opened Comms. "Acknowledged, Artio, Proceeding to Docking Bay Three." Sensors passively picked up emissions from the ship, and logged them in the database should they ever need to identify a ship from the Court.
The organization and tidiness impressed Margheriti, as well as the fluidity to schedule in a meeting during a busy event like a defense drill. He didn't dare to disappoint his hosts, so he donned his best suit, ordered a fireteam of guards, left his ship to the XO and proceeded off his ship, making sure he was there fashionably early to this meeting.
Inside the Facility is bustling with activity. Countless people go about their business. Even with the defense drill disrupting regular shipping to a degree, the Summer Court's economy does not truly sleep. More people than usual can be found at various eateries and other establishments as well as in the various small parks maintained around the station, their eyes glued to large screens displaying footage from the drill taking place all over the solar system.
Currently footage from the interception exercise witnesses as the ships approached the Mare Nubium Facility is playing. Views from various cameras, on board have been artfully assembled into one long clip, that could just as well be a professional action movie. It certainly is entertaining, if the reaction of the people is anything to go by. A loud cheer erupts from the crowd, as the militia fighters finally take down their target vessel. What draws the eye of the casual observer though is a big red countdown displayed in the bottom right corner of every screen.
Marghereti and his escort draw a few stares, but no one bothers them, as they make their way across the station. Security picks up to the same degree that the crowds are thinning as they approach their destination. The guards standing at attention in front of the doors of the meeting room at last are fully power armored marines and not the security personnel that could be seen elsewhere in the facility. Surrounded by a handful of technicians and officers a single woman, curiously enough wearing a very ornate suit of power armor herself, awaits the Dectrose delegation.
While moving to the meeting place, the Rear Admiral was happy to see similarities in the civilian life between the Summer Court and the Dectrose Empire, it felt safe, secure and strong here, the economic stability showed in the flourishing of businesses, and the regular crowds at each. It was certain that there was also a strong national pride, and the military was highly regarded, even a source of entertainment for some. This was even more reassuring, knowing that the Summer Court was not unlike the Dectrose, and their close allies. Marghereti felt moreso sure that his proposition would be welcome, and hopefully things can progress swiftly.
He and his guards approached the door, the guards looking over the other guards standing near the door, as if comparing their own power armor to that of the Summer Court. after a few approving nods, the Rear Admiral stepped through, his suit a slight Imperial grey, with purple accents on it, while his guards had a splinter pattern of varying purple colors, grey and black stripes. Marghereti stopped, smiled, saluted and gave a graceful bow "Rear Admiral Domenic Margheriti, Representative of the Dectrose Empire, at your service madam." He rose, and gave a inquisitive look "And you are?"
The woman turns to face him and rises from her seat as Marghereti enters and addresses her. A sly little smile finds its way onto her lips. “Welcome Admiral. You can address me as Lady Niam. As the Queen of the Summer Court it is my pleasure to welcome you in my realm, if not exactly my home.” Her gaze flashes to the holographic display the technicians are working on. “Under the given circumstances it is wiser to establish diplomatic relationships here instead of the palace.”
She gestures to a seat across from her own. “I have to say, your timing is quite curious and fortunate. I did not actually expect guests for this occasion.” Finally the display resolves into an image showing the nearby planet and its orbit out to the moon with its installations. Within moments various notices proclaiming something or other to be classified resolve into spaceships, ground installations and space stations. A voice sounds from speakers around the room. “Medusa Array charging. Test firing in one hundred and twenty seconds.” Niam waits for the admiral to take his seat. “Originally I wanted to observe this using the Sensors of the Artio, but I guess this will have to do until for the time being.”
"Of course, Lady Niam, it is a pleasure to meet such distinguished representative, as well as the Queen of the Summer Court, the Spirits smile on me this day for such a meeting." His guards stood back, allowing Margheriti to move freely, as he stood next to a seat, and taking it as she gestured towards the seat. "I concur, it is a very good choice of venue for such talk of diplomacy, and to view such wonderful displays of power and precision from your fleet's exercises." Looking around the room as he said so."
He shifted, and produced a ball with dull orange dots on it "For the purposes of my visit, shall I set up my RAVD node? It is our version of other race's computers, and it can perform a multitude of tasks, from projecting holograms, accessing our database and other useful features."
Niam allowed herself a slight smile at Marghereti's praise. She is all too aware that many of the ships and facilities involved have only recently been commissioned and are still in need of a lot more training. At his request she simply nods. “Please do. The conference room should provide you with all the necessary interfaces and our engineers should be able to create any we are still lacking. Everything you need, just ask for it. But first, we should observe this final part of the live fire exercise.”
As her words trail of, the countdown hits zero. “Firing Medusa Array!” After this last message the holographic display briefly turns black and everyone can feel the ghost of a lurch, as brief as uncomfortable. It is as if the universe was stretched dangerously thin for the briefest of moments. Then, only a second later, the display shows the nearby planet again. The planetary shields glowing brightly as a monstrous wave of hard radiation washes up against them. The orbit between the stations in orbit around the planet and the moon is now empty. No trace of the wrecks and target ships left there, remains.
He set down the node, with several moments passing as it then glowed bright orange on it's dots, producing a holographic display over his reach, and he waved his hands over the hologram, several official-looking documents appearing, and lines upon lines of encrypted information, with another wave over it, the lines formed a data package, and decrypted itself, as well as opening to linguistics programs for the recipient. Though Margheriti, out of respect, looked up at the displays as the Medusa Array fired, and felt a gut-wrenching feeling as it washed over him, and then inhaled softly as the screens returned to show the damage.
"Such power, it's awe-inspiring.. You must feel proud of this accomplishment, Lady Niam." He smiled, and swiped his hand on the node again, more documents flying into his reach from the node, glowing in his grasp. "If I may, Lady Niam, I do have some documents to give you, as per the Dectrothian First Contact Protocol. Firstly, the history of our Empire, while our Empire in it's current state is fairly new, we would like to give you this, as well as a map of all known nations and our own borders, we give you this as a show of respect and trust towards your people." He bowed slightly.
Niam nods at Margheretis comment and allows herself a slight smile. “Indeed. I have to admit that our engineers overdid it a little. Even with the whole planetary power grid and the reactors of the defensive stations available it takes some time to charge. On the other hand we can't fire it at full capacity without turning this moon here into a wave of hard radiation as well.” She shakes her head amused. “It will nicely supplement our other defenses though.”
She starts skimming through the documents as the Admiral draws them up. Again she nods. “I would like to return this gesture.” She waves one of her attendants forward and the man places a sturdy looking cube on the table between them. The cube has a holographic projector, but right now it is not active. “A compilation of basic information about the Summer Court and its citizens as well as a formal request to exchange ambassadors.”
He chuckled softly "Well, perhaps further improvement and research into this array will allow you to further focus this power, and possibly enhance it's capability." Of course, he had witnessed the Perturbation's test fire, and he was equally impressed, but the Dectrose's greatest accomplishment, you could not see it, or feel it, but the power of knowledge is exceptional.
He pushed these thoughts away, thinking grand is fine in moderation, but there are grander things in play. Eyes drifted towards the cube, mulling over the comparison to the RAVD node, the spherical glowing orange ball, staying still on the table. "I thank you for trusting us in return.." A short bow followed, "I'm sure the ambassadors will be happily welcome in the Dectrose Empire and likewise in the Summer Court. We can set up construction of an embassy immediately. If we are exchanging ambassadors, would you perhaps be interested in a Non-Aggression Pact, a Trade Agreement, and seeing how you have a focus on defense, a Mutual Defense Pact? If so, I may have a proposition."
The queen listened as the admiral made his proposition. She imagined she could almost see his gears turning. What he said had her thinking deeply as well though. A non-aggression pact and a trade agreement she could easily accept. She was certain that pretty much no one would object to the latter and all power blocks within her government would know better than to object to the former. They knew that her intelligence officers would suspect anyone who did to have dealings with pirates and similar lowlifes.
Finally she nodded. “I will present bills proposing these treaties to my subjects. I have little doubt that the first two suggestions you made will be accepted with open arms. A defense pact might prompt some discussion though. And, to put it simple, it might take some negotiating to make it happen. The details of this agreement might be subject to much more scrutiny, as much depends on them.”
Giving a charming smirk, he waved his finger at the node, and automatically coordinates for Lupus, within the Dectrose Empire where given to the Queen, along with a date and time "I see, I would like to say that all of these agreements would come standard, as a member of the newly-born Free Defense Council, a power block focused on neutrality, economic and diplomatic stability, but most of all, mutual defense. We will be bringing in several current members, as well as those seeking to gain more information about the power bloc. You or a representative would be more than welcome to attend, and you may receive a copy of the treaty that we have established as the groundwork of the FDC."
Taking a few moments to inhale, he seemed to calm down now from the excitement of proposing the FDC to the Summer Court, and then continued "Of course, it is entirely up to you, and should you decide you want to be a member, you may choose a Councilor to represent your nation's interests. But alas, I believe there is more exercises that you wish to practice this day? If you would allow me to stay for the duration of these, I would be honored."
The queen listens attentively and nods once again at the admirals explanation. “I will make sure to send a representative with the authority to speak in my name on these matters. I would attend myself, but I think it would serve the spirit of these agreements better, if I were to make sure that they will be well received among my subjects.” Finally she rises from her seat, gesturing towards the door. “All that remains to be observed is the actual planetary defense drill of the militia ground forces as well as the landing exercise of the marines. I would be honored to have you as a guest and observer though.”
Though as time passed, he neither found any other axiomatic facilities or any signals leading to such. Margheriti was just about to inform Decoroso Command about the status of the mission, and the failure of such, until his thoughts where interrupted by a faint, almost invisible signal, the Mantis II broke it down into signs of intelligent life on a star system some distance away, and he contacted Decoroso to inform them of such an event, then ordered his small fleet to warp to a location closer so they could investigate further, making sure not to repeat the events of his colleague, Admiral Ryn.
Once in position, he tentatively sent out his own signal on Dectrothian frequencies, hoping to draw the attention of any intelligent races nearby.
The Summer system is busy even on a quite day, as is to be expected of the Summer Courts capital. Ships of the fleet patrol space and countless civilian freighters, some considerably larger than the military ships, keep the Court's economy running. For the better part of the day though the finely tuned clockwork of spaceships coming and going has been disrupted. The orbit around Summer IV, the actual heavily populated capital of the system as well as the Summer Court as a whole, is devoid of all traffic beyond the countless defensive installations orbiting the planet.
Aboard Nodix, the largest orbital installation, Commander Rhys Midhir kept a close look on every ship in the system as the next phase of the orbital defense drill was being prepared. Ever since the last stations of the orbital defense network had come online the resolution of the combined sensors had been downright astonishing. This combined sensor array had been dubbed the Argus Array and even if he wasn't prone to embellishment, it saw everything.
Thus he promptly noticed the gravimetric disruption far out at the edge of the system as it appeared. “Do we expect any visitors?” The query went out to the other two control officers currently managing the defense network with him, but it was the holographic avatar of the queen, whose ship was docked with the Nodix, who answered instead. “No, we don't. Dispatch traffic control assets from one of the bases further out and have them escort our guests to one of the Lunar facilities. Standard first contact protocols. Make sure they aren't accidentally caught up in the defense exercise, but allow them to have a good look.” With that the queen fell silent again and Rhys quickly worked to execute her orders.
Margheriti sat patiently, it was scientific curiosity that had lead to the demise of Ryn, and he was not about to be a statistic in some Dectrothian paper on First Contacts. While he remained still, the sensors on his craft began to pick up signs of activity on a far-off system, and ordered guards to be brought up and enact First Contact protocols, as well as swap their gear for more polished and clean gear, as well as a Hawkbat III to be warmed up just in case.
While doing so, the Comms Officer kept in contact with Decoroso, before an alert went off and the Comms Officer at Decoroso informed him that system-wide interdiction was going up, and Tachyon Communications will be cut, and to switch over to QECs. When the Officer on the ship asked Decoroso why it was going up, they briefly mentioned that the alert was in response to the Anointed Civil War, and Decoroso was putting up interdiction in order to protect the planet until further information is gathered and the infiltration threat from the Anointed could be taken care of.
The Tranquility is a small pilot boat, one of the smallest jump capable vessels built by the summer court and obviously a civilian design. Still captain Thomrair took pride in his command, even if it did not come with a neural interface, like the ships of the navy. He had to make do with a much more rudimentary augmented reality control system, but then, this was all he had ever known. As the message from Nodix came in he became alert in a matter of moments as he scanned through the first few lines of his new orders. Only moments later he had sounded a ship wide alarm. He wouldn't have had to, strictly speaking. He could have shouted just as well to get everyone's attention.
Not much later, but quite some distance away space rippled and a small burst of radiation heralded the arrival of the Tranquility near the visitor. The small ship still kept a respectable distance. It didn't pay to step on some foreigners toes after all. Thomrair cleared his throat and opened the first contact channels suggested in his orders. “This is pilot boat Tranquility. Please prepare to receive navigational charts for the system and a flight plan to the Lunar Facility Mare Nubium. Please note, that the system is currently in a heightened state of alert due to a planetary defense drill being conducted on Summer IV. Unnecessary deviations from the flight plan might cause intervention by naval assets.” With that said, he started transmitting the data in a loop, waiting for an acknowledgment.
The 'Duca d'Nuovo York' picked up the entrance of the Tranquility, and the message came though and was confirmed as being Summer Court frequencies, Margheriti sent a message back to the ship "This is the 'Duca d'Nuovo York', I am Rear Admiral Domenic Margheriti of the Dectrose Empire, we acknowledge the charts and flight plan you are sending our way, we will follow them to the letter." He leaned back, he wasn't expecting to find the Summer Court, but this also opened up new means of diplomacy with a neighbor so close to the Empire.
Not long after receiving the flight plan and navigation charts, he and his ship did as instructed, moving into the path that they suggested he take, to avoid unnecessary conflict.
As the Tranquility approaches the Moon of Summer IV, following the Duca d'Nuovo York at a discreet distance, as they approached the Mare Nubium Facilty the full scale of the defense drill become obvious. Several times they passed still smoldering wrecks of gigantic freighters that had been refitted with powerful shield emitters and powered down weapons. Floating wreckage of smaller drones, the size of fighters, surround them. Further out these wrecks were already being reprocessed. In the space between the Moon and the planet several such target vessels are still adrift though. As a matter of fact one refitted freighter, launching numerous drones, is currently being set upon by fighters launched from Summer IV's surface.
Summer IV itself is a sight to behold. Countless space stations surround the planet and between their overlapping multi layered shields and the planetary shield projectors it looks more like a glittering jewel in space than an actual planet. Then the mass of the moon blocks line of sight and most sensors as the Tranquility and the Duca d'Nuovo York make their final approach to the Mare Nubium Facility. The facility is, at a first glance, a combination of a space station and extensive surface installations, connected by an orbital elevator.
Currently only one large ship is docked at the space station and sensor readings suggest that it probably arrived not long ago. Its drives are still cooling down. Transponders identify the ship as the Artio. A message is sent, using the same frequencies as before. “Duca d'Nuovo York, you are cleared for docking at bay three.” A small data package follows this declaration, containing a basic layout of the station with the essentials highlighted and a schedule for a meeting. It seems there will be barely enough time to get to the conference room without having to hurry all too much.
Passing by the defense drill, and seeing the carnage of such a practice, Margheriti felt uneasy for a moment, but that hesitation was soon replaced by pride, and an idea that may just help him and the relations between the Summer Court and Dectrose Empire greatly. While the helmsman directed the ship towards Summer IV, taking in it's glorious sight, he contacted Lupus Command, then Decoroso Command, about the possibility of further diplomatic ventures, and was accepted.
Now heading on their approach vector to the Mare Nubium Facility, Margheriti looked upon the wonderful gems and shapes that the Court's ships and architecture, such beauty and grace was not lost on him, as the Artio opened Comms. "Acknowledged, Artio, Proceeding to Docking Bay Three." Sensors passively picked up emissions from the ship, and logged them in the database should they ever need to identify a ship from the Court.
The organization and tidiness impressed Margheriti, as well as the fluidity to schedule in a meeting during a busy event like a defense drill. He didn't dare to disappoint his hosts, so he donned his best suit, ordered a fireteam of guards, left his ship to the XO and proceeded off his ship, making sure he was there fashionably early to this meeting.
Inside the Facility is bustling with activity. Countless people go about their business. Even with the defense drill disrupting regular shipping to a degree, the Summer Court's economy does not truly sleep. More people than usual can be found at various eateries and other establishments as well as in the various small parks maintained around the station, their eyes glued to large screens displaying footage from the drill taking place all over the solar system.
Currently footage from the interception exercise witnesses as the ships approached the Mare Nubium Facility is playing. Views from various cameras, on board have been artfully assembled into one long clip, that could just as well be a professional action movie. It certainly is entertaining, if the reaction of the people is anything to go by. A loud cheer erupts from the crowd, as the militia fighters finally take down their target vessel. What draws the eye of the casual observer though is a big red countdown displayed in the bottom right corner of every screen.
Marghereti and his escort draw a few stares, but no one bothers them, as they make their way across the station. Security picks up to the same degree that the crowds are thinning as they approach their destination. The guards standing at attention in front of the doors of the meeting room at last are fully power armored marines and not the security personnel that could be seen elsewhere in the facility. Surrounded by a handful of technicians and officers a single woman, curiously enough wearing a very ornate suit of power armor herself, awaits the Dectrose delegation.
While moving to the meeting place, the Rear Admiral was happy to see similarities in the civilian life between the Summer Court and the Dectrose Empire, it felt safe, secure and strong here, the economic stability showed in the flourishing of businesses, and the regular crowds at each. It was certain that there was also a strong national pride, and the military was highly regarded, even a source of entertainment for some. This was even more reassuring, knowing that the Summer Court was not unlike the Dectrose, and their close allies. Marghereti felt moreso sure that his proposition would be welcome, and hopefully things can progress swiftly.
He and his guards approached the door, the guards looking over the other guards standing near the door, as if comparing their own power armor to that of the Summer Court. after a few approving nods, the Rear Admiral stepped through, his suit a slight Imperial grey, with purple accents on it, while his guards had a splinter pattern of varying purple colors, grey and black stripes. Marghereti stopped, smiled, saluted and gave a graceful bow "Rear Admiral Domenic Margheriti, Representative of the Dectrose Empire, at your service madam." He rose, and gave a inquisitive look "And you are?"
The woman turns to face him and rises from her seat as Marghereti enters and addresses her. A sly little smile finds its way onto her lips. “Welcome Admiral. You can address me as Lady Niam. As the Queen of the Summer Court it is my pleasure to welcome you in my realm, if not exactly my home.” Her gaze flashes to the holographic display the technicians are working on. “Under the given circumstances it is wiser to establish diplomatic relationships here instead of the palace.”
She gestures to a seat across from her own. “I have to say, your timing is quite curious and fortunate. I did not actually expect guests for this occasion.” Finally the display resolves into an image showing the nearby planet and its orbit out to the moon with its installations. Within moments various notices proclaiming something or other to be classified resolve into spaceships, ground installations and space stations. A voice sounds from speakers around the room. “Medusa Array charging. Test firing in one hundred and twenty seconds.” Niam waits for the admiral to take his seat. “Originally I wanted to observe this using the Sensors of the Artio, but I guess this will have to do until for the time being.”
"Of course, Lady Niam, it is a pleasure to meet such distinguished representative, as well as the Queen of the Summer Court, the Spirits smile on me this day for such a meeting." His guards stood back, allowing Margheriti to move freely, as he stood next to a seat, and taking it as she gestured towards the seat. "I concur, it is a very good choice of venue for such talk of diplomacy, and to view such wonderful displays of power and precision from your fleet's exercises." Looking around the room as he said so."
He shifted, and produced a ball with dull orange dots on it "For the purposes of my visit, shall I set up my RAVD node? It is our version of other race's computers, and it can perform a multitude of tasks, from projecting holograms, accessing our database and other useful features."
Niam allowed herself a slight smile at Marghereti's praise. She is all too aware that many of the ships and facilities involved have only recently been commissioned and are still in need of a lot more training. At his request she simply nods. “Please do. The conference room should provide you with all the necessary interfaces and our engineers should be able to create any we are still lacking. Everything you need, just ask for it. But first, we should observe this final part of the live fire exercise.”
As her words trail of, the countdown hits zero. “Firing Medusa Array!” After this last message the holographic display briefly turns black and everyone can feel the ghost of a lurch, as brief as uncomfortable. It is as if the universe was stretched dangerously thin for the briefest of moments. Then, only a second later, the display shows the nearby planet again. The planetary shields glowing brightly as a monstrous wave of hard radiation washes up against them. The orbit between the stations in orbit around the planet and the moon is now empty. No trace of the wrecks and target ships left there, remains.
He set down the node, with several moments passing as it then glowed bright orange on it's dots, producing a holographic display over his reach, and he waved his hands over the hologram, several official-looking documents appearing, and lines upon lines of encrypted information, with another wave over it, the lines formed a data package, and decrypted itself, as well as opening to linguistics programs for the recipient. Though Margheriti, out of respect, looked up at the displays as the Medusa Array fired, and felt a gut-wrenching feeling as it washed over him, and then inhaled softly as the screens returned to show the damage.
"Such power, it's awe-inspiring.. You must feel proud of this accomplishment, Lady Niam." He smiled, and swiped his hand on the node again, more documents flying into his reach from the node, glowing in his grasp. "If I may, Lady Niam, I do have some documents to give you, as per the Dectrothian First Contact Protocol. Firstly, the history of our Empire, while our Empire in it's current state is fairly new, we would like to give you this, as well as a map of all known nations and our own borders, we give you this as a show of respect and trust towards your people." He bowed slightly.
Niam nods at Margheretis comment and allows herself a slight smile. “Indeed. I have to admit that our engineers overdid it a little. Even with the whole planetary power grid and the reactors of the defensive stations available it takes some time to charge. On the other hand we can't fire it at full capacity without turning this moon here into a wave of hard radiation as well.” She shakes her head amused. “It will nicely supplement our other defenses though.”
She starts skimming through the documents as the Admiral draws them up. Again she nods. “I would like to return this gesture.” She waves one of her attendants forward and the man places a sturdy looking cube on the table between them. The cube has a holographic projector, but right now it is not active. “A compilation of basic information about the Summer Court and its citizens as well as a formal request to exchange ambassadors.”
He chuckled softly "Well, perhaps further improvement and research into this array will allow you to further focus this power, and possibly enhance it's capability." Of course, he had witnessed the Perturbation's test fire, and he was equally impressed, but the Dectrose's greatest accomplishment, you could not see it, or feel it, but the power of knowledge is exceptional.
He pushed these thoughts away, thinking grand is fine in moderation, but there are grander things in play. Eyes drifted towards the cube, mulling over the comparison to the RAVD node, the spherical glowing orange ball, staying still on the table. "I thank you for trusting us in return.." A short bow followed, "I'm sure the ambassadors will be happily welcome in the Dectrose Empire and likewise in the Summer Court. We can set up construction of an embassy immediately. If we are exchanging ambassadors, would you perhaps be interested in a Non-Aggression Pact, a Trade Agreement, and seeing how you have a focus on defense, a Mutual Defense Pact? If so, I may have a proposition."
The queen listened as the admiral made his proposition. She imagined she could almost see his gears turning. What he said had her thinking deeply as well though. A non-aggression pact and a trade agreement she could easily accept. She was certain that pretty much no one would object to the latter and all power blocks within her government would know better than to object to the former. They knew that her intelligence officers would suspect anyone who did to have dealings with pirates and similar lowlifes.
Finally she nodded. “I will present bills proposing these treaties to my subjects. I have little doubt that the first two suggestions you made will be accepted with open arms. A defense pact might prompt some discussion though. And, to put it simple, it might take some negotiating to make it happen. The details of this agreement might be subject to much more scrutiny, as much depends on them.”
Giving a charming smirk, he waved his finger at the node, and automatically coordinates for Lupus, within the Dectrose Empire where given to the Queen, along with a date and time "I see, I would like to say that all of these agreements would come standard, as a member of the newly-born Free Defense Council, a power block focused on neutrality, economic and diplomatic stability, but most of all, mutual defense. We will be bringing in several current members, as well as those seeking to gain more information about the power bloc. You or a representative would be more than welcome to attend, and you may receive a copy of the treaty that we have established as the groundwork of the FDC."
Taking a few moments to inhale, he seemed to calm down now from the excitement of proposing the FDC to the Summer Court, and then continued "Of course, it is entirely up to you, and should you decide you want to be a member, you may choose a Councilor to represent your nation's interests. But alas, I believe there is more exercises that you wish to practice this day? If you would allow me to stay for the duration of these, I would be honored."
The queen listens attentively and nods once again at the admirals explanation. “I will make sure to send a representative with the authority to speak in my name on these matters. I would attend myself, but I think it would serve the spirit of these agreements better, if I were to make sure that they will be well received among my subjects.” Finally she rises from her seat, gesturing towards the door. “All that remains to be observed is the actual planetary defense drill of the militia ground forces as well as the landing exercise of the marines. I would be honored to have you as a guest and observer though.”